Nelson Tai
Research Mentor: Can Wang
Mentor Department: Strategy, Business
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 6 (3:00 PM – 3:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 62
Abstract
Background Information Bilibili has transitioned from a niche anime-centric community into a comprehensive video-sharing ecosystem. However, the trajectory of this expansion remains under-documented in terms of data-driven longitudinal trends. This project investigates how the distribution of content has shifted over time, examining the transition from subcultural dominance to a diversified media landscape. By analyzing the structural changes in video uploads, this study aims to uncover the “stakes” of digital platformization and how institutional growth mirrors broader shifts in Chinese internet culture. Methods The research utilizes a large-scale data extraction strategy using built-in API calls (via the bilibili_api library) to sample video metadata across a specific range of Archive IDs (AIDs). The methodology focuses on retrieving structured variables, including upload timestamps, primary and secondary category tags (TIDs), and available creator demographic markers such as gender and geographic location. This approach allows for a high-fidelity mapping of content distribution without the instability of traditional HTML scraping. Issues The project explores the underlying sociopolitical and economic factors that dictate content trends. It questions how a creator’s background, specifically gender and geography, influences their visibility and the types of “knowledge” or “entertainment” they produce. This raises critical philosophical questions regarding digital equity and whether the platform’s evolution promotes a more inclusive creator economy or reinforces existing regional and social disparities. Outcomes The findings will provide a statistical baseline for media scholars to understand the “mainstream-ization” of niche platforms. The project enhances the field by providing a quantitative model of how digital spaces mature over time. Conclusion The major impact of this study is the identification of clear correlations between creator demographics and content genres. The audience will learn how Bilibili’s ecosystem has diversified and whether geographic or gendered “clusters” exist within the platform’s historical data.
